Xavier University Athletics
Saturday, October 31
Mason, Ohio
11 a.m.
Xavier University
vs
BIG EAST Championships
Cross Country Set for BIG EAST Championships
10.29.15 | Cross Country
Xavier is hosting the event on Saturday in Mason, Ohio
CINCINNATI – Xavier cross country is set for the 2015 BIG EAST Cross Country Championships on Saturday, Oct. 31 in Mason, Ohio. For the first time since joining the conference in 2013, Xavier Athletics is hosting a conference championships event.
"We are really excited to host the championship meet this weekend," said head coach Ryan Orner. "It's not only a great opportunity for our program, but also for Xavier Athletics."
The meet will be held at the Golf Center at Kings Island with the men's 8K race beginning at 11 a.m. followed by the women's 6K race at 11:50 a.m. The awards ceremony is scheduled to begin at 12:40 p.m.
"We have a great venue and a true championship location," added Orner. "We can't wait to have all the teams down for the weekend."
Fans can watch the championship event on the BIG EAST Digital Network. Live stats will also be provided at www.goxavier.com
Admission to the event is free and spectator parking is $5. Fans are encouraged to park at the Paul Flory Grass Lot at the facility.
Additional information on the meet can be found by visiting the championship central page.
The Musketeers are looking to use their depth to post a top-five finish on Saturday. The Musketeers are led by freshman Caroline Gosser who is coming off her best race of the season at Pre-Nationals on Oct. 17. The Louisville, Ky., native finished the 6K race in a time of 21:11.5 – the fifth fastest time in XU history.
Two other runners in Sarah Mazzei and Madeline Britton have inked their names into the school's top-20 performance list this season. Mazzei posted the sixth fastest time in school history (21:16) at the Paul Short Run, while Madeline Britton finished the Pre-Nationals race in a time of 21:51 to rank 20th.
Delainey Burnett and Caterina Karas have also posted strong times this fall and look to be two of the top five Xavier runners to cross the finish line. Burnett and Karas were the No. 2 and No. 3 XU runners at the meet last season, placing 42nd and 45th, respectively.
Xavier enters the weekend ranked 12th in the USTFCCA Great Lakes Region, but will face some tough competition on Saturday. Three BIG EAST teams rank in the top-30 nationally, including a Providence squad that ranks sixth. Georgetown ranks 18th, while Villanova comes in at No. 28.
A BIG EAST women's team has captured four of the last six NCAA titles, most recently Providence in 2013. All told, the BIG EAST has won 12 women's NCAA titles – paced by Villanova's nine championships.
"Our women's team has looked strong all season. We've got Maddie Britton healthy again and should see her in our top five. Comparing over the last couple of years, this is our strongest team – especially up front. Caroline Gosser, our freshman, and our seniors Sarah Mazzei and Caterina Karas should also be top finishers on our squad."
• The Musketeers finished sixth at the BIG EAST Championships a year ago and fifth in 2013, the school's first year in the conference.
• Clare Fischer posted Xavier's highest individual finish in BIG EAST Championship history in 2013, placing 20th at the meet. She would go onto become the first Musketeer to compete at the NCAA Championships.
• Xavier's highest finish at a conference championship was third place at the 2007 Atlantic-10 Championships.
• The last runner to pick up all-conference honors was Clare Fischer at the 2012 Atlantic-10 Championships as the Cleveland, Ohio, native placed ninth.
• Kerry Hills is the only runner in school history with an individual title at a conference championship, capturing the title at the 2001 Atlantic-10 Championships.
• Christina Schneider was named the 'Most Outstanding Rookie' at the 2007 Atlantic-10 Championships. The Cincinnati, Ohio, native finished placed sixth at the meet in a time of 18:46 (5K race).
The Xavier men are led by sophomores Aaron Peterson and Garrett Knapik. The two runners were the top two XU finishers at the BIG EAST Championship last year, placing 37th and 47th, respectively.
The Musketeers are also looking for another breakout performance by Ryan Nephew this weekend. The freshman shaved 25 seconds off his 8K personal record at Pre-Nationals on Oct. 17, posting a time of 25:36.9.
The Xavier men will also be facing some tough competition on Saturday as they take on three nationally ranked opponents. Georgetown ranks 14th, while Providence and Villanova rank 24th and 25th, respectively.
"On the men's side, we've had a strong top 2-3 runners throughout the season, but we are trying to bridge the gap between the 4-5 runners. Garrett Knapik and Aaron Peterson have looked great in training and expected to lead the group. Freshman Ryan Nephew has also came on strong towards the end of the season and should have a top finish for the men."
• Xavier finished seventh last season at the BIG EAST Championships and sixth in 2013, the school's first season in the conference.
• Tom Ohlman was the last Xavier runner to earn all-conference honors, placing fourth at the 2012 Atlantic-10 Championships in Philadelphia.
• Dave Dickman took second at the 1999 Atlantic-10 Championships, the best individual finish at a conference championship in school history.
• Xavier placed third at the 2004 Atlantic-10 Championships in Pittsburgh, Pa., the highest team finish in school history.
• Aaron Peterson finished 37th at the BIG EAST Championship last season, the highest individual finish since joining the conference in 2013.
"We are really excited to host the championship meet this weekend," said head coach Ryan Orner. "It's not only a great opportunity for our program, but also for Xavier Athletics."
The meet will be held at the Golf Center at Kings Island with the men's 8K race beginning at 11 a.m. followed by the women's 6K race at 11:50 a.m. The awards ceremony is scheduled to begin at 12:40 p.m.
"We have a great venue and a true championship location," added Orner. "We can't wait to have all the teams down for the weekend."
Fans can watch the championship event on the BIG EAST Digital Network. Live stats will also be provided at www.goxavier.com
Admission to the event is free and spectator parking is $5. Fans are encouraged to park at the Paul Flory Grass Lot at the facility.
Additional information on the meet can be found by visiting the championship central page.
 | WOMEN'S PREVIEW |
The Musketeers are looking to use their depth to post a top-five finish on Saturday. The Musketeers are led by freshman Caroline Gosser who is coming off her best race of the season at Pre-Nationals on Oct. 17. The Louisville, Ky., native finished the 6K race in a time of 21:11.5 – the fifth fastest time in XU history.
Two other runners in Sarah Mazzei and Madeline Britton have inked their names into the school's top-20 performance list this season. Mazzei posted the sixth fastest time in school history (21:16) at the Paul Short Run, while Madeline Britton finished the Pre-Nationals race in a time of 21:51 to rank 20th.
Delainey Burnett and Caterina Karas have also posted strong times this fall and look to be two of the top five Xavier runners to cross the finish line. Burnett and Karas were the No. 2 and No. 3 XU runners at the meet last season, placing 42nd and 45th, respectively.
Xavier enters the weekend ranked 12th in the USTFCCA Great Lakes Region, but will face some tough competition on Saturday. Three BIG EAST teams rank in the top-30 nationally, including a Providence squad that ranks sixth. Georgetown ranks 18th, while Villanova comes in at No. 28.
A BIG EAST women's team has captured four of the last six NCAA titles, most recently Providence in 2013. All told, the BIG EAST has won 12 women's NCAA titles – paced by Villanova's nine championships.
| ORNER ON THE WOMEN'S TEAM |
"Our women's team has looked strong all season. We've got Maddie Britton healthy again and should see her in our top five. Comparing over the last couple of years, this is our strongest team – especially up front. Caroline Gosser, our freshman, and our seniors Sarah Mazzei and Caterina Karas should also be top finishers on our squad."
| WOMEN'S CHAMPIONSHIP HISTORY |
• The Musketeers finished sixth at the BIG EAST Championships a year ago and fifth in 2013, the school's first year in the conference.
• Clare Fischer posted Xavier's highest individual finish in BIG EAST Championship history in 2013, placing 20th at the meet. She would go onto become the first Musketeer to compete at the NCAA Championships.
• Xavier's highest finish at a conference championship was third place at the 2007 Atlantic-10 Championships.
• The last runner to pick up all-conference honors was Clare Fischer at the 2012 Atlantic-10 Championships as the Cleveland, Ohio, native placed ninth.
• Kerry Hills is the only runner in school history with an individual title at a conference championship, capturing the title at the 2001 Atlantic-10 Championships.
• Christina Schneider was named the 'Most Outstanding Rookie' at the 2007 Atlantic-10 Championships. The Cincinnati, Ohio, native finished placed sixth at the meet in a time of 18:46 (5K race).
| MEN'S PREVIEW |
The Xavier men are led by sophomores Aaron Peterson and Garrett Knapik. The two runners were the top two XU finishers at the BIG EAST Championship last year, placing 37th and 47th, respectively.
The Musketeers are also looking for another breakout performance by Ryan Nephew this weekend. The freshman shaved 25 seconds off his 8K personal record at Pre-Nationals on Oct. 17, posting a time of 25:36.9.
The Xavier men will also be facing some tough competition on Saturday as they take on three nationally ranked opponents. Georgetown ranks 14th, while Providence and Villanova rank 24th and 25th, respectively.
| ORNER ON THE MEN'S TEAM |
"On the men's side, we've had a strong top 2-3 runners throughout the season, but we are trying to bridge the gap between the 4-5 runners. Garrett Knapik and Aaron Peterson have looked great in training and expected to lead the group. Freshman Ryan Nephew has also came on strong towards the end of the season and should have a top finish for the men."
| MEN'S CHAMPIONSHIP HISTORY |
• Xavier finished seventh last season at the BIG EAST Championships and sixth in 2013, the school's first season in the conference.
• Tom Ohlman was the last Xavier runner to earn all-conference honors, placing fourth at the 2012 Atlantic-10 Championships in Philadelphia.
• Dave Dickman took second at the 1999 Atlantic-10 Championships, the best individual finish at a conference championship in school history.
• Xavier placed third at the 2004 Atlantic-10 Championships in Pittsburgh, Pa., the highest team finish in school history.
• Aaron Peterson finished 37th at the BIG EAST Championship last season, the highest individual finish since joining the conference in 2013.
Players Mentioned
/ Cross Country
/ Cross Country
/ Cross Country
/ Cross Country
/ Cross Country
/ Cross Country
/ Cross Country
/ Cross Country
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